Academics

The Political Science Program encompasses a broad range of studies on the nature and function of political institutions at the local, state, federal and international levels. The nature of our political institutions tells us much about ourselves and our society, an understanding of these institutions can dramatically contribute to our ability to effectively participate and utilize the system to its fullest potential.

Undergraduate Degree

Political Science Majors at TAMUK undertake an undergraduate program of study leading to a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. It is the program normally selected by a student planning to go directly into graduate school, law school, or a career in the public or private sector upon completing the bachelor’s degree.

The political science program also offers a minor in political science. In addition, several political science courses are offered in support of TAMUK’s major in criminology and minor in urban studies.

Degree Plans

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

AREAS OF STUDY

The Political Science Program offers courses in a variety of fields leading to the Bachelors degree. Fields of study include American State and National Governments, Policy Analysis & Public Administration, Political Philosophy, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Public Law.

MAJOR

A major in Political Science requires 30 semester credit hours in Political Science.

MINOR

A minor in Political Science requires 18 semester credit hours in Political Science.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

POLS 2304 - Introduction to Political Science
Development of political science as an academic discipline; the scientific method; major research approaches to the study of political phenomena with emphasis upon the contributions of behaviorists, policy scientists, and traditional political scientists. POLS majors should take this class their first semester on campus. It covers all areas of the discipline.

POLS 2301 - The Government & Politics of the United States
A survey of the structures, functions, and processes of the Texas political system. Fulfills 3 semester hours of the legislative degree requirements of 6 hours.

POLS 2302 - The Government & Politics of Texas
A survey of the structures, functions, and processes of Texas political system. Fulfills 3 semester hours of the legislative degree requirements of 6 hours.

POLS 2340 - World Politics
Analysis of the contemporary state system and forces shaping the world in which we live. Students will be given a framework within which to analyze global political issues and international institutions and their impact on American politics and government. Required for upper-level classes in International Relations. POLS majors should take this class in their freshman year.POLS 3302 - Research & Analysis in Political Science
The practice of political science. The construction of research designs; major research tools; methods of political analysis; political science writing. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science.

POLS 4311 - Voting Behavior & Public Opinion
The relation of public opinion and voting behavior to democratic government; techniques employed in analyzing political attitudes and voting behavior. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science.POLS 4312 - Interest Groups & Political Parties
Formation, structure, and functions of interest groups and political parties within the political system. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science.

POLS 4313 - The President & Congress
Structure, function, and policy roles of the national executive and legislative branches of government. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science.POLS 4314 - State & Local Government & Administration
Structure and functions of governmental institutions; administrative practices of state and local governments. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science.POLS 4315 - Urban Politics
A study of urban political processes and major public problems confronting urban areas. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science.

POLS 4317- Nuclear Proliferation and U.S. Non-Proliferation Policies
Causes of and U.S. responses to, nuclear proliferation in Third World regions, focusing on "problem countries." Topics include the non-proliferation regime, the "nuclear repentant," nuclear arms control and the threat of nuclear terrorism. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science or consent of instructor.

POLS 4321 - Political Theory: Ancient & Medieval
The theories of the major thinkers of the periods and of their development. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science.

POLS 4322 - Political Theory: Early Modern & Modern
Theories of the major thinkers and the related intellectual and political movements. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science.

POLS 4324 - Technology & Society
A study of technology and society from the perspective of social values, ethics, sociology, social environment, politics, and economics. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science and 6 semester hours of History.

POLS 4326 - Contemporary Political Theory Examination of one or more of the major issues in post-World War I Political Theory. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science.

POLS 4331 - Constitutional Law
A survey of American constitutional law, using leading cases, both historic and contemporary, of the Supreme Court of the United States. Establishment of the federal political system for which the Constitution provides, and the judicial and allocations of political and economic power within that system. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science.

POLS 4332 - Constitutional Law
A survey of American constitutional law, using leading cases, both historic and contemporary, of the Supreme Court of the United States. Matters of rights and liberties, their recognition and definition, policies of rights developed by the Supreme Court of the United States. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science.POLS 4333 - The American Judicial Process
The federal judicial system in terms of structure, function, and process with stress on court interaction at both intercourse and intersystem levels. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science.

POLS 4341 - International Relations
The underlying principles governing political relations among sovereign states and the application of these principles to contemporary international problems. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science including POLS 2340 or consent of the instructor.POLS 4342 - International Organization
Basic features, functions, and problems of international organizations through the League of Nations, the United Nations and its specialized agencies, and other important regional organizations in the context of the world situation. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science including POLS 2340 or consent of the instructor.POLS 4343 - International Law An introduction to the study of international law. This course examines the definition, object, and sources of international law as well as its relationship to domestic law and to the study of international relations. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science, including POLS 2340, World Politics, or consent of the instructor.POLS 4351 - Comparative Politics
The structures, functions, and processes, of selected political systems. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science.

POLS 4353 - The Government and Politics of Russia and the Former Soviet States
The study of the political evolution of Russia and the former Soviet Union with respect to national identity, governing institutions, ideology, politics, and security concerns, with particular emphasis on post-Soviet developments. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science.POLS 4354 - The Government & Politics of Latin America
The structures, functions, and processes of the political systems of the nations of Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science.

POLS 4355 - The Government & Politics of Mexico
The structures, functions, and processes of the political system of Mexico. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science.

POLS 4356 - European Politics A study of the major political systems of Europe, including both national governments and supranational institutions. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science.POLS 4361 - Public Administration
The place of public administration in government; the relations of the bureaucracy to other government institutions and the public. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science.

POLS 4363 - Policy & Policy-Making in the United States
Public policy and its formation through the interaction of political groups and governmental institutions in selected areas of public policy; relevant comparisons to other national systems. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science.POLS 4364 - Women and Politics
Description, analysis, and assessment of women’s place in a democracy through a focus on women’s capacity to relate to and use political power. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science.

POLS 4370 - Special Studies in Political Science.
An intensive examination of special topics of study in political science. Course may be repeated for credit when the topic of study changes. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Political Science or consent of the instructor.